Is It Possible to Predict Difficulties During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy? A Single Centre Experience

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a widely performed bariatric surgery across the globe. Understanding preoperative risk factors for possible intraoperative complications can aid in predicting surgical outcomes and shaping the approach to the procedure. This study aimed to identify and analyze potential risk factors associated with intraoperative difficulties during LSG.

The analysis encompassed consecutive patients who underwent LSG from 2017 to 2020. Patients who encountered intraoperative difficulties during the procedure were categorized into Group 1, whereas those who did not experience such complications were placed in Group 2. To identify potential risk factors for intraoperative challenges, a thorough evaluation of demographic characteristics was conducted, including variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and previous surgical history.

Group 1 included 37 patients (11.71%), while Group 2 comprised 279 patients (88.29%). Apart from higher rates of diabetes, pulmonary disease, and sleep apnea in Group 1, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding demographic parameters. A univariate logistic regression analysis identified several risk factors associated with intraoperative difficulties, including a body mass index (BMI) greater than 50 kg/m² (OR 2.15, 95%, CI 1.05-4.39, p = 0.0362), the experience of the operating surgeon (OR 9.22, 95% CI 4.31-19.72, p = 0.0058), the presence of diabetes (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.19-4.98, p = 0.0146), and pulmonary disease (OR 12.22, 95% CI 1.97-75.75, p < 0.0001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the surgeon's experience (OR 8.61, 95% CI 3.75-19.72, p < 0.0001) remained a significant factor influencing intraoperative difficulties.

The sole significant factor influencing the occurrence of intraoperative difficulties was the level of the surgeon's experience.